United States Merchant Mariners suffered the highest rate of casualities of any service in World War II. According to one estimate, one of every 26 mariners died and as many as 8,000 perished in total — while more than 600 became prisoners of war without the protection of prisoner-of-war status.
In long overdue recognition, President Trump has now signed into law a bill to
award the Congressional Gold Medal to those United States Merchant Mariners who served as the fourth arm of our national defense during World War II.
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